Frequently Asked Questions

Each conversation we have with potential clients generates a list of interesting questions and concerns. We thought it would be helpful to share some of the answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you have any others, please don’t hesitate to ask.

How much do SEO services typically cost?

Each project is 100% unique, and the pricing is based on the competitiveness of the keywords that you are trying to rank for. It is much easier to rank in a small, local market, than it is to rank nationally. We require each client to fill out The Hit Me SEO discovery form so we are able to do a detailed analysis of keywords and website optimization prior to putting together a proposal.

Will you work with my competition?

No – we don’t believe in helping our clients in getting to the top of the search engines, then turning around and doing the same for their biggest competitors. We only work with one client in an industry in each geographical area.

How long will it take my website to rank?

It takes much longer to rank a website than it did a year ago, three years ago, and five years ago. In the past, we could rank a website number one over a weekend, but now we ask our clients to give us a minimum of three months to get their website ranking. Google has implemented a delayed strategy in ranking sites, therefore, it takes us as long as Google decides it takes.

How long does the process usually take for the optimization to be complete?

The initial process of optimization generally takes 3-4 weeks, depending on the scope of the project. Certain situations including a website rebuild, implementing a social media campaign, and dealing with a penalty can extend the process for several months. Some websites will rank better than others initially. Once the initial optimization is completed, we continue to make changes to your website and adjust to each clients rankings. In addition to ongoing changes to your website, we also continue to improve your off-page optimization.

Do you guarantee number one rankings?

You should run away from any SEO company that guarantees you the number one spot on Google. Even the best SEO companies cannot always reach that number one spot for every keyword. That being said, we do have clients who rank in the number one spot for 500 different keywords. Additionally, our website’s rankings speak for themselves. Search for “best SEO in Maryland,” on Google, and you will see that our website, YouTube video, Our Maryland SEO WordPress Site, and other social properties are flooding the top spots.

Will you provide us with results?

Each month we provide our clients with detailed ranking reports. We also schedule a monthly call to discuss your Google Analytics in detail so that we are always on the same page. We believe in transparency, and strive to provide you with the best possible service each and every month. Google delivers enough surprises to us, we don’t need additional ones by finding out our clients are unhappy or have had an ongoing concern. By keeping the lines of communication open at all times, we have been able to work with some of our clients for more than four years. We must be doing something right!

How do I measure the results?

There are two aspects of SEO ; traffic and conversion. Our first goal is to rank your site at the top of Google for the keywords most important to your business in order to generate highly relevant traffic. Once we start seeing more and more visitors going to your site, we can then monitor the conversion rate of your website. We us multiple methods to determine the conversion percentage on your website. From here, we use this data to improve both traffic and conversion rates in the future. Increasing your traffic while increasing the conversion percentage is the fastest way to grow your business.

Why is there a monthly maintenance fee?

Once the initial optimization is completed, we continue to make changes to your website and adjust to each clients rankings. In addition to ongoing changes to your website, we also continue to improve your off-page optimization. Much like joining a gym, you can see results after a period of time, but without the proper maintenance, your body will slowly slip back into its original form. As Google constantly updates its algorithm, we stay one step ahead, and not only rank your site at the top of search engines, but keep you there.

Why is there an upfront fee and a monthly fee?

There are two very distinct differences in our optimizations. We first have the initial optimization that addresses the issues with your site. This process is very elaborate and time consuming. The monthly fee covers alterations and changes that we make throughout the month to keep your site ranking as Google changes its algorithms and as competition creeps up. What is working today may not work in a few months or even a few weeks. We have to provide Google with exactly what they are looking for, new and relevant information.

Do you require long term agreements?

We do not require long term agreements, but we do hope to provide you with the service that keeps you with our company for years to come. If you do not stay with us, we chalk that up as a failure because that means we failed to provide you with the best service and the best results. We have clients who have been with us for more than four years. Even though their contracts are month to month, they are happy with our services and choose to stay with us through the many changes that Google makes to its algorithm over time.

What makes you better than your competition?

There are a variety of things that make us different than our competition. We believe in an open line of communication in which our clients constantly feel updated and in the loop. We frequently provide you with new services that may not have been in our agreement. We view each customer as an opportunity to create a personal relationship in which we work together for years to come, and we believe that if we provide an amazing experience for each of our clients that they will be more likely to share their great experiences with their family and friends. This is how we grow as a company.

Does Hit Me SEO’s Mascot Luna really fly?

No, our mascot Luna can do some amazing things, and she keeps us calm, cool, and collected throughout all of the Google updates, however, even though it may appear otherwise in the picture, Luna cannot fly yet. She is only a puppy:-)